BBQ Restaurants in Austin, Texas

1. Lamberts

Established in 2006, Lamberts is an upscale restaurant that specializes in slow-smoked barbecue and modern Texas cuisine. The menu changes regularly so as to feature the best seasonal products, but customers can expect an excellent array of appetizers, soups, salads, side dishes, smoked barbecue, and grilled meats. The restaurant also has an upstairs bar and lounge; live music is played here every night, and the space can be rented out for private events. Happy hour takes place every day of the week between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and specials are offered on appetizers, drinks, and bar food.

Lamberts, 2nd Street District, 401 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701, Phone: 512-494-1500

2. Franklin Barbecue

Owned and operated by celebrated barbecue chef Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue has been open since 2009. The meat served is free of hormones and antibiotics, and the house specialty is beef brisket in an espresso barbecue sauce.

Meat can be ordered by the pound or in a sandwich, and the menu also offers several side dishes and 4-inch pies for dessert. The restaurant is open only for lunch, and food is served from 11:00 am until it's sold out. The joint can get quite busy and customers are advised to arrive early to ensure they don't miss out.

Franklin Barbecue, 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, Phone: 512-653-1187

3. Black's BBQ

Owned and operated by the Black family for over three generations, Black's BBQ is one of the oldest barbecue joints in Texas. All the meat is slow-smoked in-house over local oak wood and seasoned with a simple rub prepared according to a secret family recipe that dates back to 1932.

Seven different types of barbecued meats are available for order by the pound, including beef brisket, pork spare ribs, and turkey breast. The menu also offers homemade sausages, sandwiches, side dishes, desserts, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Plenty of gluten-free options are available, including most of the barbecued meat.

Black's BBQ, 3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705, Phone: 512-524-0801

4. Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Que

True to its name, Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Que serves up authentic Texan barbecue in the historic 200 block of Congress Avenue. The menu offers an excellent selection of meats by the pound, including brisket, chicken, pork, turkey, and goat. Optional side dishes include potato salad, coleslaw, and pinto beans. A rooftop garden and shady back patio are available for anyone wishing to dine outside, and two private event spaces can be reserved for groups of 30-300 people. The restaurant is open until 10:00pm every day of the week and valet parking is offered after 5:00pm.

Cooper's Pit Bar-B-Que, 217 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, Phone: 512-474-4227

5. County Line

The very first County Line restaurant was opened in an old speakeasy in 1975, and the restaurant now boasts locations all over the Southwest. The County Line on the Hill in Austin is still located in the original speakeasy and offers outdoor dining with stunning views of Texas Hill Country. A number of barbecue platters with a choice of two sides are available, and groups can also choose to indulge in one of the family-style all-you-can-eat options. The menu also has a wide selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches burgers, kebabs, and kids’ plates.

County Line, 6500 Bee Cave Rd Austin, TX 78746, Phone: 512-327-1742

6. Donn's Barbeque

Open since 1983, Donn's Barbeque is a casual counter-serve restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere. Breakfast starts at 5:30 am and is served all day long, while weekday lunch specials are offered starting at 10:00 am. The restaurant prides itself on its authentic Texas-style barbecue, and all food is prepared using Donn's family recipes and the finest ingredients available. Barbecue enthusiasts can choose from a wide selection of plates, family packs, and barbecued meat served by the pound, but the menu also includes a variety of salads, side dishes, sandwiches, old-fashioned hamburgers, and desserts.

Donn's Barbeque , 2617 S IH 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78741, Phone: 512-382-6720